Catalyst Appoints Jean Interim President and CEO

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Catalyst Paper, Richmond, B.C., Canada, has appointed Denis Jean, a current director of the board, as the company's interim president and CEO, effective immediately. A veteran of the industry, Jean was president and CEO of Cascades Fine Papers Group from 2002 to 2005. Prior to that, he held executive roles with Abitibi Consolidated and Donohue.

As interim president and CEO, Jean takes the reins from Richard Garneau who left the company May 28 for personal reasons to be closer to his family in eastern Canada. The company's board initiated an executive search for a new executive officer following Garneau's announcement in late January.

"We are fortunate to be able to draw on the industry expertise of a fellow director," said Catalyst board chairman Michel Desbiens. "Denis knows the industry well and he understands the company's challenge, having served as a director on the board since 2007. We appreciate his willingness to serve as the company's interim chief executive as the search for Garneau's successor is completed." Jean's appointment will enable the board to complete the executive search with assurance of a seamless transition to a new CEO in due course, the company notes.

Catalyst Paper produces diverse specialty printing papers, newsprint, and pulp. With six mills located in British Columbia and Arizona, Catalyst has a combined annual production capacity of 2.5 million metric tpy.